Collaring Ceremony of Benros and Sammi

@Melita

Some fantastic images were taken by Melita, and I noted them as such. Thank you Melita!

I attended the collaring ceremony of Benros Karlfeldt and Sammi (SamDelainey Resident). Ratzu Darkstone hosted the event, and Duke (Dukexxl Resident) introduced the pair, while sammi was assisted by azdra Fall - Nikolaidis (Azdra Resident).

The ceremony was very moving, and was attended by more than 40 people! The highlight of the ceremony was the saying of vows:

@Melita

[14:43] Sammi looks up smiling
[14:43] Sammi: Master .. i offer you my vows
[14:43] Sammi: I vow to you my Master
to give you my submission
to be Your girl for always
and obey Your discretion
[14:44] Sammi: I kneel here before you
naked as i am
ready to serve you Master
in every way i can
[14:44] Sammi: I accept from you your Collar
As a symbol of this vow
an outward sign for all to see
I belong to you from now
[14:44] Sammi: I promise to support you
to be the wind beneath your wings
to make you proud you own this girl
You are the centre of my being
[14:44] Sammi: We face the world together
two halves that make the whole
i offer you all i have to give
mind,  body,  heart and soul
[14:45] Benros: Sammi,  how will you respond ...
[14:45] Benros: If it pleases me to have you kneel before me?
[14:45] Sammi: I will kneel reverently.
[14:45] Benros: If it pleases me to bind you?
[14:45] Sammi: I will gladly offer my body to you.
[14:45] Benros: If it pleases me to touch you?
[14:46] Sammi: I will beg you to be touched.
[14:46] Benros: If it pleases me to give you my instruction?
[14:46] Sammi: I will learn all I can.
[14:46] Benros: If it pleases me to correct you?
[14:46] Sammi: I will erase my mind and write in your words.
[14:47] Benros: If it pleases me to punish you?
[14:47] Sammi: I will accept it without objection.
[14:47] Benros: If it pleases me to allow you to serve me?
[14:47] Sammi: I will serve you with loyalty and devotion.
[14:47] Benros: If it pleases me to have your obedience?
[14:47] Sammi: I will give you my obedience above all others.
[14:47] Benros: Sammi, with the placing of this collar around your neck and your acceptance of it, I vow to be worthy of you. I promise to hold you, protect you, stretch you and give you certain freedoms to grow, and to respect the needs of our relationship, I further vow to love you, honor you,
[14:48] Benros: support you in all things. I accept the trust you have placed in me and the responsibility that goes with that trust. I accept the gift of total submission you have made to me. This collar will be a symbol of your commitment to my ownership of your body and mind, your heart and sou
[14:49] Benros: sammi, I will not forget the responsibility that I have undertaken.. My decisions affect you in every way. Your life is in my hands and I will use the power you have given me wisely. . I will be mindful that you will look to me in all things for guidance and teaching.
[14:49] Benros: sammi from this point on, in front of all these friends as our witnesses, you are totally mine, now and forever, just as I am yours.  #
[14:49] Sammi  ods smiling
[14:49] Sammi: thank you my Master
[14:49] Benros: Azdra please dress sammi, my girl, my life, my love
[14:50] Azdra Fall - Nikolaidis (Azdra Resident) rises to her feet and steps up to the platform behind Sammi.  She giggles softly.
[14:51] Benros: Your collar is locked, please stand and dress
[14:51] Sammi: thnak you maaster
[14:51] Benros gives her a hand to help her rise
[14:51] Azdra Fall - Nikolaidis (Azdra Resident) smiles at Sammi, holding out the dress for her to step into.

@Melita

Ratzu himself had some final words to give to the pair:

[15:03] Ratzu Darkstone: let me say some final words
[15:04] Ratzu Darkstone: Benros-the Dominant, I say: never forget the responsibility that you have undertaken here.
[15:04] Sammi (SamDelainey Resident) smiles at Master Ratzu's words
[15:04] Ratzu Darkstone: You are charged with the well being of your submissive in all you do. Your decisions will affect her in every way. Her life is literally in your hands. Do not shy away from that responsibility but use the power you have been given wisely.
Never consider only yourself. Remember that your submissive will follow wherever you go. Do not lead her into danger and be mindful that she will look to you in all things for guidance and teaching.
[15:04] Ratzu Darkstone: Learn from sammi what is good for her, and be prepared to give as much, or more than you receive.
[15:04] Benros Karlfeldt nods
[15:05] Ratzu Darkstone: Benros, your hand is a double edged sword. It can give pleasure and it can punish. The Master must never forget that, and must consider every facet of any situation before using that power, and always used for the well being of your sammi.
[15:05] meander (meanderingmuse Resident) left the region.
[15:05] Ratzu Darkstone: sammi, having chosen to submit to Benros, you must never feel dignity's loss. True submission is something that few ever receive, so remember that what you have offered is a treasure, to be kept safe by Benros. Walk beside Him and be proud of what and who you are. To be a submissive makes you the treasure in this relationship. Never be afraid to speak out. In times of trouble look to your Master, and run to Him, not away.
Finally I urge you both: Have patience with each other and remember there will be bad times as well as good. Love each other, always, and demonstrate that love as often as you can and in as many ways as you can.
[15:05] Ratzu Darkstone: They now have pronounced their commitments to each other and symbols of the power have been exchanged between them. Benros owns sammi and she will wear his collar as a symbol of his domination over her and her willing submission to him. Now all may rise and join me in Benros and sammi deep and enduring joy, and to pledge our support in this commitment
[15:06] Benros Karlfeldt listens and accepts the words offered by Ratzu

@Melita

@Melita

Some more pics from the event, this time from my own amateurish camera smh:

The Attendees included:

vanessa Hunt
ivy Rose
Arthur Twindle
Shaane Mode
Angelo Scurita
Gerritt
olly Otoole
Rafe Allardyce
Marcus Massaro
Cirdan
Jim Bomazi
jen Umaga
Alvise Cliassi
Sahrin
Geela
Billy Avedon
dakota Taylor
marion Fadlan
melita
victoria
Sussesweet
Arie
WW
sassy Snoodle
Michele Aria (Dancer)
mari Carducci
Eldin Stonecutter
kaer
fia
star Novahwolf
sableminx
indy shadows
Ratzu Darkstone
jillian Karas
sammi
azdra Fall-Nikolaidis
Duke
orchid
MK

Duke and Ivy Collaring Ceremony

I've only known Duke (Dukexxl) for about 5 months, but in that time I've grown to respect his dedication to the sim and his abilities as a Dom. On the other hand, I have known his girl Ivy (Ivy1) almost since I was first at Austin, as she was the organizer of the auction in which I bought Linda back in October of 2014.

I was unfortunately not able to attend their collaring ceremony because it was held during the weekend (September 10), but Linda did manage to go, and she and GIS laila (lelie Baxton) took some pictures of the event, and I use them below with great thanks.

I wish both Duke and Ivy the very best in their new journey together xxx

(I post the celebration below with permission from the celebrants, but have changed the names of some of the other attendees for privacy reasons)

Duke: Welcome to my collaring of the O girl ivy.

Duke: We shall begin.. relax and be comfortable enjoying  the lovely setting provided by Austin and our esteemed Ratzu

Duke: I do want to say at the outset my admiration for Ratzu and all he has done to make Austin the special place that is...Thank you Ratzu.

Ratzu Darkstone: smiles a your welcome

Ratzu, WW, Alvise, Linda, Rafe, Jen

Duke: I appreciate our Austin Family and our friends joining us in this ceremony.

Duke: It will be simply a Master collaring his girl as a symbol of his ownership and their bond to one another.

Duke waiting for Ivy

Duke: A Master should guide, direct, nurture and care for his girl. His girl should serve him with all her body, mind, heart and soul.

Duke: Today that bond will be completed with the public collaring of my girl ivy before you.

Duke: I appreciate you joining us for this occasion.

Duke: Orchid would you please bring the girl ivy to me.

Duke: Watches as they approach and smiles

Orchid leading Ivy to Duke

Duke: thank you orchid.. you know how special you are to me

Duke: ivy, please kneel

Orchid smiles very happy for them both

ivy rose: smiles up at Master , before lowering to my knees

Duke waiting for Ivy to kneel

Duke: You have begged for my collar, you have already submitted to me in that other world and have worn my collar there

Duke: Today you shall also wear my collar for all to see in this world as well.

Duke: looks at his girl with the corners of his lips raised in a smile.. He sees her beauty, her spirit, her warmth, and her caring.  His smile broadens.

Duke: We met here at Austin soon after my return several months ago.  We became better acquainted a few months after

Duke: In ivy I saw a lively filly, yearning for a bit, needing a Master to not dampen her spirit, but rather to channel it..

Duke: I am a Master in both worlds and ivy is a submissive in both. She is even more than that.

Looking on: AK, Billy, Sage, and Nik

Duke: I demand total control and she craves it.  She is more than a sub, she is a slave and today she will be known as my slave.

Duke: My collaring of her will complete the full ownership which I desire and which she needs within the inner core of her being.

ivy rose: looks up chewing frantically on my lower lip

Duke: I glance among our friends and my gaze returns to my girl.  With pride I look deeply into her eyes.

Duke: ivy, we have both come down long and winding paths with twists, turns and potholes.

Duke: We have arrived at the  same destination, at the same moment in our journeys.

Duke: It was by more than chance. I believe it was meant to be.

Duke: I will now ask you ivy, do you wish to submit to me totally with your whole being, to be my property, to be used as I see fit, and to yield your full will to my guidance, direction, nurturing and care?

Ivy kneeling before Duke

ivy rose: yes Master , i do ... smiles

ivy rose: as i move raising my arms above my head lowering , my chin to my chest

Duke: And how might you do that my girl?

ivy rose: I am your devoted slave , Master

ivy rose: I do not exists but to serve you Master

ivy rose: I will serve you how ever you wish Master

ivy rose: i am yours forever Master

ivy rose: I will grow to cherish you Master

ivy rose: My mind, heart body and sole are your's Master

Duke: I listen, my eyes intent on hers, in our own world....  I reach to my belt and take the collar.

RA: wipes away a tear of happiness for the "lively filly", my long term O Girl friend

Duke: I brush the hair from her shoulders and place the collar on her neck.

Duke: With the key I lock it...the sound of the click heard throughout this serene island.

Placing collar around Ivy's neck

Duke: I smile.

Orchid: CHEERRSS!!

DG claps vigorously.... Bravo !

RA: ***** APPPPPPPLLLLAAAUUUSSSSEEEEEEE***********

MV: Hurrrayyyy

AR:   (*^?^)?   Å???Å????   ?(^?^*)

SA applauds happily

CS: CLAPS LOUDLY

AR:   (*^?^)?   Å???Å????   ?(^?^*)

ivy rose: your touch on my shoulder makes me tremble , hearing the click makes my heart sing i look up at you with a bright smile ... my  words soft  thank you Master

MV applauds

RL: applauds

WA: Huzzah!

Orchid: *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*yaaaaaaaay*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*

NJ claps for the couple

Linda Burnstein-King: smiles

laila claps her hands smiling brightly

AA applauds with a big smile

JU smiles and blows warm kisses

RA: chuckles at Orchid

Duke: Today you are owned by me your Master... do you wish to respond?

CL claps softly
WW: *:-.,_,.-:*'´ `*.   BRAVO   !¸.*´`'*:-.,_,.-:*

Rod and Curi

ivy rose: lowers my hands to my lap liftingmy head , yes Master  ,

Duke: looks at her with fondness and listens

ivy rose: Master I want you to know
that I have waited a very long time for you.
I have been waiting patiently to give these
gifts locked away inside me.

ivy rose: Now you are here, so much a part of me.
You are here in front of me
as I kneel in respect to you
while you place your collar on me.

ivy rose: At times it is unbelievable to me,
Still a dream that we have found each other.

Ivy saying her vows

ivy rose: But yet... hear your voice, a voice my soul has always longed to hear and instantly recognized.
I feel your touch, a touch my body has always ached
to feel and instantly reacted to.
I see your handsome face, a face my eyes have always searched

ivy rose: for and immediately affirmed.
I taste your kiss, a kiss my lips have always hungered to taste
and instantly felt the fire and passion.
I smell your hunger, a hunger whose scent I know all too well.
I have waited for you and now I am yours body, soul, mind and heart.

ivy rose: Take me.

Take my hunger for dominance and nourish me.
Take my thirst for control and quench me.
Take my body for your pleasure.
Take my soul to new and uncharted heights.
Take my mind to teach and guide.
Take my heart to heal and love.
Take us on this journey, this new journey we have begun
Which will make us both whole, both become one.

JU: smiles and wipes a tear as I read ivy's words

ivy rose: Master please understand that even though my wait in finding you is over,
I will continue to wait for you as we go down this path of buried desires.
For you have promised to love me, heal me, nurture me, teach me,
guide me, protect me and never turn away from me.

ivy rose: I will always be here for you, Master, still waiting patiently,
With a devotion unknown to you before
With a commitment that is unceasing
With a loyalty that is constant to you
With a trust that is uncommon to you
With a love that is so rare, a love that is yours forever,
Through out all time.

RA: wipes eyes surreptitiously

ivy rose: It is said that good things come to those who wait.
Master, you are a living testimony to this.

ivy rose: whipes the haopy tear from my  cheek , looking up at you smiling

Duke: I look at her with pride as I hear her words and my heart is filled.

Duke: Holding back a dampness in my eyes I lift the girl and take her into my arms.

ivy rose: leans and hug myself tightly to you my pounding heart beating wildly against your chest

Duke: Holding her tightly I feel our bodies pressed together, our minds engaged with one another and our hearts beating in rythym.

Duke: I let her fall again to her knees.. I look at her and proclaim.

Duke: Facing our Austin family and friends, I say in a bold voice....

ivy rose: turns and smiles at everyone

Duke: As of this day, September 10, 2016, you are mine ivy.  My property, part of my being and my slave.  Let our bond grow and our future bring us even closer as a Master and his slave.

Woland and Dakota's Collaring Ceremony

When Linda and I first met Dakota (dakota0therbee) in December 2014, we knew she was something very special. She was kinda shy, but I could immediately tell this was a girl who was extremely intelligent.

Fast forward one year later to November of 2015, and I found myself engaged in deep conversations with her in email about her life, D/s, BDSM, in addition to the other usual mundane topics.

My initial observations about her being seriously smart were confirmed, and we got to know one another quite well, which culminated in her formally becoming my Ward a few weeks later.

It was through our conversations that I later learned about Woland (hulijing), and about their very long friendship with one another, a friendship that had gotten deeper over time and had slowly blossomed into something more.

I'll be honest and say that I've always considered Kota collared to Woland even before their ceremony. They are just two people who fit well together, a couple so in tune with one another that their lives intertwined in the most natural of ways.

And so it was with little surprise that I greeted the news of the impending collar of Kota in front of her Austin friends and Austin family.

The venue for their celebration on September 9 was Austin's Ceremonial Arch, and when I dropped in briefly at the beginning of the event, I was amazed at the beauty of the place. While I was still there, more than 32 people crowded in and admired the splashes of red that adorned the trees surrounding the area.

Unfortunately, I could not stay beyond the first few minutes of the ceremony due to RL considerations, but Linda stayed for the entire event and told me how moving it was.

The collaring as always began with Ratzu Darkstone introducing the couple and saying a few words about the importance of the collar.

Then Woland came up and explained to the happy crowd the core philosophy that guides their journey together.

Today is the most important day in our lives. Although it is conventional to call this a ‘collaring ceremony’ I think of it as a collaring rite. This is a sacrament between two souls, your soul, Kota, bound to mine, my pleasure, my joy and my muse. My soul caring for you and nurturing you.

We began in role-play years ago, and our relationship blossomed…then crashed into the rocks of my limitations. We have both grown, and I have learned to accept you as you are, every facet, and you have learned to accept me, every wart. You fulfill my needs in every way, as I do yours. But we have only begun. The tree is young…and growing, tended by love.

My background is in the study of rituals and religions, particularly those of early China, and I have studied the ancient Classic of Changes from China, the Yi Jing, since I was a boy. I have taught Kota my ‘Dao’, my path, and we now walk that path together. That is part of our ritual, and our discipline, and we faithfully pursue it every day.

I feel that in that Dao there is an important lesson that applies to D/s, as it does to the world as a whole. You are familiar, no doubt, with the concept of Yin and Yang. They are pictured as equal and balanced forces taking turns in prevailing over events as the four seasons change, the Yang of summer giving way to the Yin of winter.

But I have found two secrets hidden within the ancient texts and in the world around us…imperfection and prevalence. There is no perfect thing. Every crystal has a flaw, every snowflake an imperfection that makes it unique. Every person, even the most powerful and resourceful…is broken in some small way. And that produces a need, a place in their lives for that one person who perfectly fits that imperfection, who fills it in and matches up as the two parts of a broken seal that come together to produce a whole.

(photo by O-girl Aisha Sohl)

At this point he looked towards Kota, the other part of his broken seal..now made whole.

Prevalence, for me, explains both the core of D/s and the core of human society. Because Yin and Yang are not in perfect balance. If they were balanced the world would come to a grinding halt, a slow entropy turning all into a cold darkness that is neither Yin nor Yang, but ‘Hun Dun’….the primordial chaos. Instead there is a spin to reality.

The Yang predominates ever so slightly, it pushes events forward as if turning over an engine, allowing it to reignite to produce heat and motion. You can see that prevalence reflected in the calendar. Even numbers are Yin, Yang numbers are odd. Some months end on a Yin day and some on a Yang…but the first day of each month is invariably Yang. It is a symbolic reflection of the way the world is put together; that slight prevalence of the Yang over the Yin.

Those outside D/s do not understand us. What we do fills a craving, yes. It seems to those outside to be a flaw, and perhaps it is our flaw, the imperfection in our crystals, but it is also our joy and the key to our growth. It is just not a vanilla flaw. And it perfectly displays that principle of the prevalence of the Yang. I am not speaking of gender here. Although Yang is traditionally male and Yin female I am speaking of a Dominant Yang and submissive Yin, and those take no account of gender.

I have rambled on enough, and hopefully given you, our dear friends who share this wonderful day with us, an insight into some of the philosophy that Kota and I explore in our ritual life.

I wish I could share in words how I feel about this woman. She is my wife, my lover, and most important of all she is mine. I am her Master, and today I will ask her to take my permanent collar. We come together today to bring the two halves of our seal together. We are already two sides of a coin as people. Now we shall be newly minted, a Master and his beloved submissive.

(photo by O-girl Aisha Sohl)

Then it was Dakota's turn to speak, and she rose and spoke:

I am not a submissive....probably not what anyone would expect to hear at a collaring ceremony, but I'm not in the way that I hear some girls refer to it...like it's their core nature.

What I am is a woman who likes to see people happy and to do things for people I care about.  I have learned that a part of me has a desire to give submission, not to everyone, but to those who sincerely offer their Dominance in return.

It took a long time before and almost a year at Austin to accept this fact.  It took me a long time to see I didn't have to fit any mold or ideal of what a submissive should be.  It was ok to be just as I am.

It was also ok that my gift of submission was in a long box for some, a round box for another and in an average sized box for most. What I found is that the box shape and size was completely correlated to how much trust I had in the Dominant.  Not just trust with my physical safety, but my emotional and mental safety as well.  Trust that they were present and there because they wanted to be there.

(photo by O-girl Aisha Sohl)

Over this past ten months, through my connection to someone I've known for a good portion of my SL ....I found that I had the capacity within to pull together a jumbo box of my submission.

One ready with all my worries and fears and laughter and joy and reverence and insecurity and hunger and OCD tendencies and stubbornness and fire and sillyness and omg-she's-a-nerd all wrapped up inside.

I found the right Dominant... one who wanted to take it with a smile and say, thank you...this is just what I was ready for.

I'm not sure I could put into words how that feels.

To trust someone with that big box and know that they can use it. 

That this Dominant, this Master, will use me and all the service I have to offer.  That anytime a little worry slips from that box it will be ok, because HE is capable of handling that and not wishing I'd given him something else.

To know that I am perfect in my imperfect service and always will be.  It makes me want to be BRAVE.

It makes me want to say "Yes!  Yes, Master" even when I'm afraid.  It makes me want to never hide anything from him.  I know that I don't always get my way, but I never ever have to hide my desires.  I am safe.

What I get in return is a Master who is trustworthy, wise, creative, true to himself, consistent, intelligent, funny, caring, persistent *smiles*, did I say wise?, smoldering hot and reliable to say the least.  He has nothing to prove.  He is my teacher, my guide, my husband, my porn and...my Master.

I wanted to say this for anyone starting on this path.  Those who are close to me know that getting to even this point was not easy.  (Small moment of silent gratitude for those that had to deal with my freak outs...grins).

It took time to get to this level of trusting and it's still not finished... it can go even deeper.  I started off years ago giving my Master an average sized box of my submission and trust and as time went on...each time things went ok...I'd give a bigger one the next time.

For some, it's gut, they know right away.  But for me, time was my friend.

I've kept this huge box on a shelf for what feels like eternity and I am driven to tears writing this because I can't fucking wait for the time each night when I get to watch this Master unwrap it.

Thank You so much for Your Dominance, I'm ready Master.

At this point, the crowd was asked to stand for the exchange of vows.

Woland: I offer you my collar.
Woland Removes the training collar
Woland: In accepting this collar, you acknowledge that you trust me. Do you trust me?
Dakota: Yes, Master, I trust you with all mind
Woland: I commit to care for you and protect you.
Woland: In accepting this collar, you acknowledge that you submit to me. Do you submit to me?
Dakota: Yes, Master, I submit to you with all my soul
Woland: I accept your submission and commit myself to love you.
Woland: In accepting this collar, you acknowledge that you belong to me. Do you belong to me?
Dakota: Yes, Master, I belong to you with all my heart
Woland: You belong to me, and I am your Master. You alone are truly mine from this day. So mote it be.
Dakota smiles
Woland: Draws her to her feet and takes out the collar

Woland: Looking down with love, protection and commitment....puts the collar on

It was done.

(photo by O-girl Aisha Sohl)

Congratulations to Woland and Dakota from both of us. It was a very nice ceremony, but now comes the more important part of your journey. As always, we offer you our support and our friendship, and we know you two will be so happy together!!! Love you guys xxx

Attendees at the event while I was still there included (in alphabetical order):

Aisha Sohl
Aqua Fearne
Bangrod
Bri
Cata Charisma
Crux Maximus
CuriousHeart Lourdes
Dakota
Dani
Duke
Jen Umaga
Io
ivy Rose
laila
Linda Burnstein-King
Lucius Silverweb
Marcus
Misty
Nik Jharis
Orchid
Rafe Allardyce
Ratzu Darkstone
RB Quan
rosilina
Sage Avedon
Sage D
SamDelainey
sefa Perl
Stormie Heron
WillTitus
Woland
WW

Marcus and Melinda's Collaring Ceremony

A big thanks to Aisha Sohl for most of the images in this post.

Marcus and Melinda's Collaring Ceremony took place on Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Ceremonial Arch at Cafe LaPe'rouse @ Austin, with Ratzu Darkstone officiating. Aqua Fearne was the helper for Melinda, and I was the stand-in for Marcus.

I attended the entire event except for the dance, and Linda managed to stay in for about half of the collaring ceremony. My little boo had  just two days earlier in voice chat mischievously warned me about getting into the wrong position and collaring or being collared by Marcus, and I have a feeling she was slightly disappointed nothing of the sort actually happened!

The celebration began with an introduction by Ratzu, where he noted that "A collaring is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other. Within the circle of its love, it encompasses all of life's most important relationships."

He then invited both Marcus and Melinda to speak, and Melinda gave an emotional thank you to her Master:

Melinda

In the three years and four months since I started by hiding in a tree, in a remarkable place called Austin, I have met with, spoken to, read, considered, discussed and learned from, all who were prepared to show me their dominant beliefs and their submissive paths. Yet It was only from a chance meeting, under the shade of an olive branch, that, between you and I, a tiny spark was kindled and grew into what, from today, will be an everlasting flame.

It was you, Master, who gave me what was needed for me to want to submit fully, truly and unconditionally to someone; to give everything without hesitation yet to receive, unasked for, love, laughter, amazement, excitement and inner peace. My amazing sponsor, Maitre WW, gave me the strong foundations that led to me being ready, when you came along, to want to offer everything to you.

You knew me from the first, you understood the puzzle that is me and you were prepared to take this 'unusual submissive' for your own. Knowing I would find it impossible to turn away from my place within this community here at Austin, you came to embrace it, too, which has added to the emotions that make me so very proud to become your girl.

You lead me but never push hard; you show me new boundaries but you help me to overcome them, to grow through them; you expect but never demand; you accept from me but never insist; you mould me to serve you as you wish to be served yet you allow me the freedom to be me.

For all of these I thank you and will always be naked for you because opening my soul to you, giving you my thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams….. that is being truly naked.

Thank you, my Master, for wanting me for your own. The love that has grown through the past eight months of being together is, day by day, strengthening and will never diminish today, tomorrow and always.

This was followed by Marcus' own speech about his meeting and developing relationship with Melinda:

Marcus

A little over eight months ago when we first met at a place that no longer exists I could not have imagined how much you would come to mean to me..    

Whether it was fate or happenstance no-one can say, but we talked and laughed,  and even though we weren’t aware of it at the time, a bond started to form between us...

That bond has grown stronger as each day passed and now I cannot imagine my life without you being a part of it....  

I have come to know you for the caring and wonderful person that you are ;   I have seen your strengths and your weaknesses, your cheekiness and your compassion, your laughter and your sadness....

I have seen you grow and become more self-confident as I have slowly peeled away the layers to discover the Melinda that I know and adore …. 

There have been many milestones as we traveled together on our journey;  a journey not only of surprises and self-discovery but also of experiences and opportunities as you increasingly placed your trust in me. .. 

I know that it has not always been an easy road.  You have had doubts as to your own abilities and you have needed both encouragement and the time and space to allow your inner desires to surface...

It has been my delight and my privilege to help you discover the deep-seated need in you, and in so doing  I have been rewarded by seeing you blossom into the remarkable person that you have become….

As we take the next step on our journey it is with enormous pride that I stand here in front of our friends and our extended Austin family.  Today does not mark the end of our journey but merely the beginning of a new phase and wherever the road may take us we will travel it together with you by my side…. 

Aqua then escorted Melinda to the pool, where she removed the submissive's cloak, and undressed herself.

Preparing to be bathed

She then bathed Melinda in the soothing scented waters using a soapy  sponge, symbolically purifying her for Marcus and preparing her for her life in submission.

The bathing

Afterwards, they returned to the dais, where Aqua dressed and Melinda waited patiently for Marcus to place the collar on her.

Ratzu first asked Melinda "This collar is a symbol of your submission to your Master, Marcus, a symbol that you have surrendered a part of your will to another. Do you accept it?"

At her affirmation, he then turned to Marcus and asked "This collar is a symbol that you have taken responsibility for Melinda, that you will protect her, nourish her, and help her learn and grow.  Will you accept this responsibility?"

When Marcus also said yes, Ratzu instructed him to place and lock the collar on Melinda.

Waiting for the collar

As Marcus placed the collar on her, he spoke:

A collar should neither be offered nor accepted lightly, for its strength lies not in the material from which it is made but in its deep meaning.  This collar  that I hold in my hands is more than a physical manifestation of the bond that exists between us as Master and girl;  it represents my deep-seated and long-lasting commitment to you and to us... 

Here, in front of our friends and Austin family, I vow to do all that I can to be worthy not only of the the gift of submission that you have given me, but also of the trust you have placed in me....  

I vow to hold you and keep you safe; to give you the time and space when you need it to learn and to grow;  to be sensitive to your needs and your desires, and above all to always love, honour and respect you for the person you are and so I say to you ...

Submit to me Melinda Nyn.

As Melinda knelt before her Master, she replied:

I, Melinda Nyn, Amiee @ Austin, herewith submit myself to you my Master, Marcus Massaro, for as long as SL shall live. As i speak from the depth of my heart, i accept your collar, and its lock, as the outward and visible sign of my submission to you with deepest joy, proof to all that I am yours. I promise to stay with you, support you and fulfill your needs and desires as you allow. You are the center of my universe, the light of my life and I truly adore you, now and always.

Marcus then placed the collar around Melinda’s  slender neck and closed the clasp, turning the key and hearing the slight click as it was locked, then placing the key in his pocket as he looked into her eyes.

"Melinda," He intoned. "In placing this collar around your neck and claiming you for my own I do so with immense joy  and deep adoration and respect for the person I have come to know.    I will cherish always this moment and the precious gift of submission you have given me."

Melinda met his eyes, smiling, and whispered. "I am yours Master."

With this final vow, Marcus asked Aqua to help Melinda dress in her gown, and the two finally stood together as Master and submissive.

A chorus of cheers and well wishes filled the air from the huge crowd that had turned out to celebrate the occasion. Nearly 50 people had attended the event, and many stood up at that point and spoke their congratulations to both Marcus and Melinda.

The guests included:

MK, Linda, Aisha Sohl, Sage Avedon, Mari, Jonathan Carbenell, Dakota Ashford, Billy Avedon, Arie, Julie Tremont, Woland Ashford, Sweetness Whitesong, Lianne Hannu, Kurt, Fia, Liss, Forest of Azure, Lilian Howley, Screwtape, Sunni Hanni, Tish Sorbet, WW, Belle, Jaclyn, Fenrir, Dancer, Rhonda, Ulrika Tomsen, Ninee Cerise, Severus Fierenza, Aga Cisse, Jen Umaga, Kely Renfold, Rafe Allardyce, Oz Renfold, Stormy Dench, Kaer, LG, Aimee, Marq, Executive Sub, Aqua Fearne, Ratzu Darkstone, and of course Melinda and Marcus.

The crowd then walked on over to the Starry Starry night skybox, where DJ Stormy Dench provided dance music to while the next couple hours away.

I could not attend the dance, but Aisha provided some pics of the event:

And more pics from the actual ceremony: